How To Use A Menstrual Cup

If you haven’t used a menstrual cup before, it can seem a bit intimidating.

Maybe you’ve had thoughts cross your mind like, “wait I have to put my finger…inside??” or “how do I know it won’t get lost up there?” or “This looks SO BIG, how in the world is this gonna fit inside me?”

Most girls agree there was a bit of a learning curve and while naturally everyone’s experience and body is different, if you just follow these key points you can avoid much of the frustration.

Switching to menstrual cups was one of the best decisions I made for my life and it’s changed countless others’. You’re on your way to joining the community of women who’ve found freedom from their periods. You’ve got this!

1. Sterilize

Before you begin using the cup each period, sterilize your cup by placing it in water and heating it up until the water boils.

This can also be done in a microwave safe container with water in the microwave.

Wash your hands with mild soap as well.

2. Position Yourself

Squatting down or putting one leg up on the toilet are both excellent options. How you position yourself depends on what you find most comfortable.

Try different positions to see which one makes insertion easiest for you. (If you’ve used a tampon before, the position and inserting process should be similar).

3. Fold

There are several ways to fold your cup before insertion. The way you fold your cup is also up to you and what you find most comfortable and most easy. Below are some options that you can try out.

Most people find the Push-Down or triangle folds the easiest to insert because they makes the tip really small (I personally prefer the Triangle fold because I find it opens up the easiest once inside).

4. Insert

Insert your cup gently with the hand that is holding the fold of the cup in place. Insert it at a slight angle towards your lower back until the ring is not sticking out.

The ring should be about a half inch from your vaginal opening. (This varies depending on the shape and size of each person). Don’t be afraid and try more than once if it doesn’t go as planned!

5. Double Check

This step is really important so you don’t leak! Make sure that the cup has opened by feeling around the base for any signs it is not open. If it is not fully opened, rotate the cup or try lightly adjusting its placement.

Gently tug on the ring lightly to make sure the cup has opened and formed a seal with the walls of your vagina. If in place you will feel a little bit of resistance when tugging.

6. Forget You're On Your Period!

Your cup can be left in for up to 12 hours and holds the capacity of up to 3 tampons. If inserted correctly it shouldn’t leak, be painful or be uncomfortable.

How to Remove

Relax. When removing your menstrual cup the first thing to do is RELAX! The more relaxed your muscles are, the easier it will be.
Position yourself. Put yourself in a comfortable position like squatting over the toilet or with one leg up.
Position the cup. Push with your pelvic floor muscles (like you’re pooping) and grab the ring with washed hands to bring your cup down just far enough to where you can grab the base with two fingers.
Break the seal. This is done by pinching the base with two fingers or pushing on the side of the cup. If the seal is correctly broken you shouldn’t feel any painful tugging or suction during removal.
Remove. Once the seal is broken gently remove the cup while keeping it upright. Empty the contents into the toilet and wash with unscented soap and warm water. Then you’re ready for reinsertion!

Now What?

If you still feel a bit apprehensive, it’s ok! Every single enthusiastic cup supporter was there once too. Take a deep breath and trust yourself! You’re a girl boss and you’re about to take control of your period and your life.

Since cups can take some getting used to, here are some of our best tips we’ve compiled from hundreds of successful users.

Our goal is to create a community where we can all learn from each other and cheer each other on, so if you have your own tip or experience, please share in the comments below. You never know when your story might be just the key to help someone figure it out for themselves.

Extra Tips

Your cup should sit a few centimeters above the vaginal opening (depending on the person). No part of the cup should poke out!

You shouldn’t feel the cup once it’s in, so if you feel it, then you should try to reinsert it farther in.

(tip: try a different fold that allows you to insert it completely before it opens up. Sometimes if it opens up before you have inserted it all the way, the suction prevents it from going further which may cause discomfort or leakage if it’s not far enough)

How do I know how far to put it in? Collapse

If the cup isn’t placed properly, it may not form a tight seal. Make sure the cup is fully inside the vaginal canal and is sitting low enough to open properly, but high enough so it doesn’t slip out.

After insertion, gently pinch the base of the cup to make sure it’s fully opened. You should feel it unfold or pop open, creating a suction seal. If it doesn’t open completely, try rotating the cup or pinching and releasing it again to ensure the seal is formed.

If the cup is too small for your flow, it may not hold enough liquid and could overflow. Conversely, if the cup is too large, it may not fit properly and could leak. The way you fold the cup during insertion can affect its ability to pop open fully. Common folds like the C-fold, punch-down fold, or 7-fold can make insertion easier and help the cup open up inside.

Try different folding methods and find the one that works best for your body.

I think I put it in right. Why is my cup still leaking? Collapse

Still Have Questions?

If you still have questions or are unsure about how to use your cup, please contact us and we will respond as soon as we can!